Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation : long-term follow-up in patients with severe chronic respiratory insufficiency

Prior studies have shown that nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) can improve arterial blood gas values, prevent symptoms resulting from alveolar hypoventilation, and decrease hospitalization in patients with chronic respiratory failure. Most studies have involved small samples of patients followed up for a limited time. This study reviews our experience during 5 years use of NIPPV in 276 patients with kyphoscoliosis, posttuberculosis sequelae, Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy, COPD, and bronchiectasis followed up for ≥3 years while receiving NIPPV. Outcomes were compared for patients who survived short term, eg, died or converted to management with a tracheostomy and intermittent positive ventilation (TIPPV) during year 1 or year 2 on a regimen of NIPPV and long term, eg, survived more ≥2 years on a regimen of NIPPV. Ihe most favorable outcome was achieved by patients with kyphoscoliosis and posttubenculous sequelae with improvement in PaO2 and PaCO2 (p